Even as credit or debit card credentials leak over the dark web, many citizens don’t realize that online frauds can be stopped with a little ‘cyber hygiene’.

Since January 2020, all banks, in keeping with the RBI guidelines, have allowed card holders to enable and disable cards for online use — on international and domestic websites and Point of Sale (PoS) machines — and even modify their transaction limits by simply moving a toggle tab on their bank app or website.

Since 2022, fraudulent credit and debit card transactions have surged in Gujarat.

The Gujarat CID Crime data for the last one year revealed that 14,725 citizens have lost their savings or credit to these frauds.

At the ‘Hacked’ cyber safety awareness session at Cloud 9 Society in Nehrunagar, jointly organized by TOI and Gujarat CID Crime, the sleuths explained all about preventing debit and credit card fraud.

Hemant Pandya, police inspector, cybercell, Gujarat CID Crime, said, “One needs to go on the bank’s mobile app, click the ‘services’ tab and then the ‘my cards’ tab to freeze their choices and set the transaction limits.

So, for instance, after you have purchased a book online or bought cosmetics using your debit or credit card, promptly open your bank app and turn off the ‘domestic online transaction’ for safety.

Also, set your preferred limit, say Rs 5,000 or Rs 15,000, for PoS.

Adhere to this cyber discipline to discourage cybercriminals.” Bipin Shah, a resident of the society said, “Through the session, we came to know how cybercriminals exploit the vulnerabilities of our online behaviour and trick us into clicking a link or sharing passwords or card details.” The CID officials at the session said that based on the complaints received on cybercrime helpline 1930, it was observed that Ahmedabad city topped the state list with 3,997 complaints, followed by Surat city with 2,197 complaints and Vadodara with 1,339.

Rajkot reported 612 cases.

Police sub-inspector, CID Crime, Dhaval Shukal, said, “Despite so many awareness messages and news reports, gullible shoppers still click dubious links that download malicious software on their devices and hack into their phones.

One should make it a point to verify on actual websites whether freebies or discounts are offered by those companies.” Vikas Shah, the developer of the society, added, “Cybercriminals have been evolving even as law enforcement agencies tighten their grip on them.

Sessions like ‘Hacked’ helps us stay abreast of the latest modus operandi that cybercriminals use to manipulate us.”